To curtail PAS’s influence, PH must work with Bersatu, say analysts

Political analysts argue that Pakatan Harapan (PH) must collaborate with Bersatu, specifically former Selangor Chief Minister Azmin Ali's network, to combat PAS's increasing influence and retain control of Selangor. This comes after PN secured 22 of Selangor's 56 state seats in the 2023 election, 12 of which went to Bersatu and 10 to PAS, while PH obtained 34 seats, falling short of the 38 needed for a two-thirds majority.

Azmin Hassan, from Akademi Nusantara, notes that PH's strength in Selangor has diminished since its 51-seat victory in 2018, as compared to the BN's four-seat win in 2008. PAS has targeted Selangor as a path to Putrajaya, making cooperation between PH and Bersatu increasingly necessary, as the two parties were once part of the defunct Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

Azmin Hassan emphasizes that PN's strong performance in 2023 was not solely due to PAS's strength; PAS received significant assistance from Bersatu, particularly from Azmin, who is the party's secretary-general. Azmin's association with Selangor politics makes it advantageous for PH to work closely with Bersatu or Azmin's team to strengthen its position in the state.

PH's hopes for a PH-Bersatu alliance are bolstered by PAS's decision to sever ties with Bersatu. Political analysts believe that a PH-Bersatu pact would serve as a mutually beneficial outcome for both parties, as it would be untenable for Bersatu to operate alone. Furthermore, several Bersatu leaders, such as Azmin, Hilman Idham, and Dr Afif Bahardin, already hold considerable influence in Selangor, making a PH-Bersatu collaboration a viable option.

The decline in Bersatu's position due to its conflict with PAS, as well as PH's recent losses in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections, further underscores the necessity of a PH-Bersatu alliance. This cooperation could help neutralize the threat posed by the close relationship between BN and PAS, while simultaneously bolstering the Selangor government.